The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-08-25
The People vs.. King Caucus.


Our contemporary of the Petersburg In
dec-Appeol CONSTITUTES the leading editorial
in the last VIRGINIAN as IN assault upon
Gen. Malone. There was nothing III the
article that could be legitimately SO con-
strued. 1t was no more an assault upon
him than it was upon any other prominent
Republican who might aspire to the Unlted
States Senatorship. 1t was rather plea
for the people, andin behalf of the true in
terests of the State as paramount in the APP
preaching election. For the Republicans
to follow the example of the Democrats
and make the Senatorship paramount Is
sue-to make the election hinge upon the
strength of Gen. Malone and john ).
Barbour, as representing the two parties,
would be a criminal disregard OF the gen
uine interests of the people, and cruel
Indifference to the condition Of Virginia
that would be indefensible and ineXcusa'
BILE. What is either Gen. Malone or Jno.
). Barbour in comparison with the welfare
OF the State? Is every question a1fectlng
State policy to be subordinated to their
ambitions Are the people mere slaves
to two political managers, and do they
comprehend within themselves everything
| which a Legislature should consider? 1t
| is this slavish submission to political
bosssm that has brought the Common
wealth to her present deplorable condition.
What the people should demand and direct
their efforts and ballots to obtain, is Leg
islature composed of practical, common
sense men, who will consider the interests
of Virginia paramount to the aspirations
of the politicians. If the Republicans
should elect majority of that body, then
it would be their duty to consider and pass
upon the claims of Republican candidates
for the United States Senate. The choice
would be made with reference to national
questions, such as government aid to pop
ular education, the tariff, the internal rev.
enue laws, the coast defenses, and kindred
interests, demanding the action OF Con
gress The Republicans would support nc
one who was not sound on these important
, interests, as viewed from Republican
standpoint. If the Democrats should have
a majority in the Legislature they would
t elect John S. Barbour and whatever might
be his views on these issues, lie would b'
9 under the control of the Democratic eau
! Gus and its action, and that would b,
] against the interest of Virginia.
s The duty Of the Republicans as it relate
CHI 10 To
: Legislature that will not commission MI
e Barbour or any other Democrat to mis-
1 represent Virginia interests, and to cleo
n Republican who would truly reflect tn
e sentiment land .acttfor the interest OF tn
people. This cannot be done unless the
y succeed in securing majority of the Leg
e islature. When that is done, if at all,
= will be time enough to consider the mar
y w have no personal grievances to IT
= dress-Go revenges to gratifying person;
k likes or d;sikes to consult, and no favor
J. lite to press. Above and independent {
all things else. we desire first to see tn
e condition of the State bettered. We wal
e the people to take in hand the election {
J. members of the Legislature, who will ne
t. Iegislate in defiance of the decision of tn
d Supreme Court of the Nation, and thu
n bring derison upon the Commonwealth
c who will respect the laws and ccnstitl
Y. ton of the State, as to the limitations
lie imposes upon its sittings-who will bold
o. and bravely take hold of the complicate
he interests which now SO seriously distur
Sc the people and arrests their prosperit.
IS and deal with them as honest men, am
y ious to serve Virginia and do what is rigl
d between the parties interested and final
o. settle the harmful contention over th
D. public debt-who can and will rise abov
IN class legislation and partizan expedient
I'd and consult the welfare of the State.
o These interests cannot be considered
the election of members of the Legislator
OF is to turn upon the choice of VIM. Major
H. or John S. Barbour for the Senate-labele
a. for a caucus in the interest Of either. W
1t have had enough of this kind Of politics.
le 1t is to it that much Of the injury that ht
D. been inflicted upon the State is due. 1t
e. time for change to other influences an
as appeals looking to a free and full expire
S. sion of popular sentiment, in the Legis
is ture to be elected, in reference to vita
a. practical State concerns. Under the e,
Id elements of mere personal feeling al
ne the frenzy of personal politics, the genuir
sh manhood of the State has been obscureC
il those most deeply interested in wise mea
X ures of legislation, have been forced to tt
e. rear, and the ring politicians, the satellite
al of the bosses, the scheming manager
tn have directed and controlled elections
al the interest of political adventures, +
u CARELESS of the true interests and substal
I'd tial welfare Of the great mass of the Peep
A and of the State. So long as caucus skim
~ such will continue to be the case. and vi
e, ginia stillremain the prey of demagogu
ne and her name and fame be dragged into tt
a. cesspool of mercenary politics.
- "When we recall the cheerful admission
the platform of the Roanoke Convention of IL
~ distinguished junior editor of the VIRGINIA
cy there to observe the entire proceedings, al
s. then in few days notice. without any previo
p public announcement, this gentleman's ind
vidual excursion to Petersburg, and his soft al
do stealthy entrance into the private conclave
Ii, tI,a xuo